It is to make atonement to the Most Scared Heart for all the sins of the world and to implore His grace and mercy for every family in the Ferrybank Parish.

Hundreds of young survivors of the blaze, sweaty and black with soot, raised their arms to the sky as if imploring mercy or hugged each other - sharing pain, fear, anguish and a feeling of helplessness.

The people prayed, wept, gnashed their teeth, pulled their hair, imploring the mercy of the Virgin Mary.